Kieran McKenna is leaving Ipswich Town after managing 222 games, and will take a break from football.
The 40-year-old Northern Irish coach guided Ipswich from League One to the Premier League, delivering multiple promotions during his five years in charge.
In a personal statement, he cited the need for time away after an intense period, emphasizing a desire to spend more time with his family following this chapter.
“It is with a mixture of gratitude, pride, sadness and contentment that I have decided to step down from the honour of managing this historic football club.
“When you have the connection that we have built at this club there is never a good time to say goodbye. However, having achieved a second promotion to the Premier League last season, with another memorable final day in our stadium, and after reflection over the last couple of weeks, I feel this is the right time for me to step aside. I do so with great pride at the incredible progress we have made and with huge hope and optimism for the future of the club.” He said.
Ipswich have thanked him for his major contribution and wished him well.
Club chairman, Mark Ashton, said: “The job Kieran has done at this football club over the last five years is simply incredible.
“When I first spoke to Kieran prior to appointing him, I knew we would be getting an extremely bright, hugely driven coach who craved the opportunity to make his own mark on a football club as a manager. To say he has done that is an understatement.”
McKenna joined Ipswich Town on December 16 2021, signing a three-and-a-half-year deal after working as a coach at Manchester United. He recorded 105 wins, 64 draws and 53 losses during his tenure, transforming Ipswich from mid-table League One strugglers into a Premier League side.
McKenna secured back-to-back promotions in his first two full seasons: finishing as League One runners-up in 2022-23 to reach the Championship, then guiding them to Championship runners-up spot in 2023-24 for a return to the Premier League after 22 years away. He later helped them achieve another promotion in 2025-26.
Rumours in recent weeks had strongly linked him with the Fulham managerial vacancy following Marco Silva’s departure to Portuguese club Benfica. There had also been previous speculation connecting him to bigger clubs including Chelsea and Manchester United at various points in his Ipswich tenure.
Despite the links, McKenna has chosen to step away from football for a break rather than join any club immediately.
